Vows Of Vengeance

Chapter 43

Author's POV

Safiya closed her eyes, unsure if she had come back home or simply returned to a place she once belonged to.

Safiya let out a slow, tired sigh before pushing the blanket aside and getting up from the bed. The exhaustion of the long journey still clung to her body, yet there was a strange sense of comfort settling inside her as her feet touched the familiar floor.

Without wasting much time, she walked straight into her washroom to freshen up.

The moment she stepped inside, a quiet sense of nostalgia washed over her.

She quickly turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her, washing away not just the fatigue but also the heaviness she had been carrying for days, even months.

After finishing, she brushed her teeth with her old electric toothbrush, the one with the tiny Pikachu handle that she had missed dearly. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she held it, realising how much she had missed even the smallest, silliest things from her old life.

Wrapping a towel securely around herself, she stepped out of the washroom, her damp hair clinging to her back and immediately switched on the air conditioner.

For the first time in so long, everything felt normal. It felt like she had stepped back into a version of her life that once belonged entirely to her.

She had always had this habit of walking out of the bathroom wrapped in just a towel, taking her own sweet time in front of the mirror as she did her skincare, gently massaging each product into her skin, before patiently blow drying her hair strand by strand.

It was her time, her space. But ever since her marriage, that routine had completely changed. She had forced herself to do everything inside the washroom, adjusting to the small mirror and the limited space, rushing through things she once cherished, and it had always felt slightly uncomfortable.

Walking towards her closet, she opened it and took out her clothes, slipping into oversized grey joggers and a simple t shirt. The soft fabric felt comforting against her skin.

A slight chill ran through her body, making her pause. Her eyes fell on his shawl lying nearby and without a second thought, she picked it up and wrapped it around herself. Instantly, a gentle warmth engulfed her, making her shoulders relax.

Just then, the door to her room creaked open slightly and her mother’s head peeked in from the gap.

“ Beta, can I come inside? ”, Safiya looked up and nodded softly.

“ Yes, ammi. ”, Rabiya smiled faintly before stepping inside, followed by Rida and Mansi, both of them carefully carrying trays filled with tea and snacks. The light clinking of cups filled the room as they placed everything down.

“ I told them to take some rest, but they wouldn't listen. ” Rabiya said, glancing at the two girls.

“ Sahab ne kha hain Safiya bibi ko kisi bhi cheez ki kami nhi honi chahiye. ” Mansi replied in a robotic manner. Safiya let out a small breath, slightly amused yet tired.

[Sir has said that Safiya Bibi should not lack anything.]

“ Unhe koi nhi bta rha kuch bhi, tum dono jao thora rest karo. ”, Both the girls nodded obediently and turned to leave.

[No one is telling him anything, you both go and get some rest.]

What Safiya did not notice was how, just before stepping out, Rida subtly slipped the ring off her finger and dropped it onto the shelf near the door, placing it in such a careful manner that it blended into the surroundings as if it had always been there.

As soon as they walked out, Rabiya turned back to Safiya, her expression softening. She stepped closer and gently cupped her daughter’s cheeks, her touch lingering with unspoken emotions.

“ I made your favourite potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies. ”

A genuine smile appeared on Safiya’s face as she reached for the tea cup. She took a slow sip, the warmth of the liquid spreading through her, easing the dull headache that had been bothering her since the journey.

“This shawl,” Rabiya’s voice lingered, her eyes shining with curiosity. This shawl was not given to just anyone. It carried weight and authority.

“Haan, Zaviyar ne diya hai.” , Rabiya nodded slowly and let go of the fabric.

(Yes, Zaviyar gave it to me.)

Years ago, she had picked it up only to keep it safe, knowing it was significant in the household. It was meant only for the head of the family. She still remembered the humiliation. The sharp scolding she received for merely touching it.

And today, her daughter wore it around her shoulders as if it meant nothing. A quiet laugh rose within her. Karma had a strange way of returning things.

Soon, the two of them got lost in conversation, talking about everything that had happened over the past few months, from the time her parents had returned.

Safiya spoke but carefully. She avoided going into details about the initial phase of her marriage, about the tension, the anger and the silent battles that had once defined her relationship with Zaviyar.

“ How is everything? ” Rabiya asked suddenly. Safiya’s brows furrowed slightly. She had already answered that.

“ It's good. ” she replied, nodding. There was a pause before Rabiya spoke again, this time her voice carrying hesitation.

“ You are happy there right? With Zaviyar? ”, Safiya looked at her, noticing the uncertainty in her eyes.

“ I'm happy. He cares about me. In the initial days, he was kind of rude and I guess didn't really like me much.

Well, I too didn't really like him. But over time we both changed. ”

Rabiya nodded slowly, but her uneasiness did not fade.

She swallowed before speaking again, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her kurti.

“ After coming here, I realised that maybe we married you off to him in a haste. We should have waited a bit. ”, Safiya’s head snapped towards her, surprise flashing across her face.

“ H-he d-does not... ” Rabiya stammered, struggling to form her words, her voice trembling slightly. “ He d-didn't like h-he- ”

“ What mom? ” Safiya asked, confusion creeping in. Rabiya finally gathered the courage, her voice low yet heavy.

“ he doesn't force you to do anything right? ”, Safiya’s eyes widened slightly. For a moment, she just stared at her, unable to process the question.

“ No, he.... Why would you think that? He's not like that. ” she replied, her tone laced with frustration.

Rabiya shook her head, her worry spilling over.

“ He was raised by Mansoor Khan. That man was ruthless, a tyrant. And Zaviyar is the same. Mansoor Khan made Zaviyar just like him, ruthless and merciless. I don't want you to be subjected to a miserable life ”

“ mama, stop. ” Safiya cut her off, her voice firm.

Yes, Zaviyar had been unbearable at the start of their marriage.

She still hated that version of him, the coldness, the arrogance, the anger.

But she also knew that he had been driven by something deeper, something darker.

It did not justify his actions, not completely but it made her understand him.

And despite everything, she knew he was not that man anymore.

“ First, Zaviyar is not like that. He pretends to be really strict and all, but he's not that bad. And he... He loves me.. ”, She spoke honestly, not sugarcoating anything but not lying either. Because if there was one truth she stood by, it was this. Zaviyar had not failed her. Her parents had.

“ aur aap logo agar itni chinta thi touh kyu force Kiya tha mujhe iss rishte ko maan ne ke liye? ” she snapped, the anger she had buried slowly resurfacing.

[And if you people were so concerned, then why did you force me to accept this relationship?]

She took a breath, her fingers fidgeting as she continued.

“ I won't lie, during the initial days of our marriage he was... ” she bit her lower lip, her gaze dropping, “ he was a little angry about this alliance or marriage and things were a little bad between us ”, Her voice softened. “ But we sorted everything out. ”

“ Did he hurt you ”, Rabiya’s face tightened with worry, her eyes searching Safiya’s face.

Safiya froze for a second. The question lingered heavily in the air.

Had he hurt her?

Yes.

Not physically, not in ways that would leave marks visible to the world. But mentally, emotionally, it had been suffocating. And she had not stayed silent either. She had retaliated, hurting him back in ways she knew would sting just as deeply.

Before she could form an answer, the door suddenly burst open. Wajahat stormed in, his face clouded with anger.

“ How dare he treat you like that? ”, The sudden outburst made Safiya flinch slightly.

“ It's all my fault. I got scared that nobody would want to marry you after Adnan did all that. Mujhe laga badnami se achcha hain tumhari shaadi Zaviyar se hee hojaye ”, Rabiya said, her voice breaking as she sniffled.

[ I thought it's better that you get married to him rather than facing the society's judgement ]

“ Mein uski khabar leta hu. Uski himmat kese hui meri beti ke saath esa suluk karne ki...”, Wajahat said through gritted teeth, his jaw clenched so tightly that the veins on his neck stood out, his anger barely contained as if it would spill out any second.

[ I'll deal with him, how dare he treat my daughter like this...]

“ Woh himmat usko aap logo ne hee di. I know it's Zaviyar's fault for being rude to me during the initial days of our marriage. Lekin meri shaadi uske saath toub aap logo ne hee karwayi na. ”, Safiya quipped, her voice steady yet hollow, her eyes fixed somewhere far away as if she was no longer standing in that room but reliving every moment she had buried deep inside herself.

[ you gave him that courage. I know it's Zaviyar's fault for being rude to me during the initial days of our marriage. But it was you people who got me married to him, right?]

“ Woh touh haalat ese hogaye— ”, Wajahat tried to explain, his tone softening, but before he could complete his sentence, Safiya cut him off sharply.

[That happened because the circumstances—]

“ Har cheez mein halat ko dosh dena band karein aaplog... Iss baar haalaat ki galti thi, right?, okay maan liya ”, she said, crossing her arms tightly across her chest as if she was holding herself together, her lips curling into a bitter smile that did not reach her eyes.

[Stop blaming everything on circumstances… This time it was the circumstances' fault, okay I accept that.]

“ Aur pachees saal pehle jab ek teen saal ke bachchi ki mangnee karwa rahi the aap loug tab bhi aap logo ka muh nhi khula.

At least mama spoke up for me baba, otherwise i would have been there with my life tied to be someone else's like a slave.... ”, her voice trembled towards the end, yet every word hit like a blade.

Rabiya gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth as if she had just been struck by something unseen.

[And twenty-five years ago, when you people were arranging the engagement of a three-year-old girl, even then none of you spoke up. At least mama spoke up for me, baba, otherwise I would have been there with my life tied to someone else like a slave…]

“ Do you know how embarrassed i was when I got to know that the man i think of as my hero, my savior... he failed me... you failed me, baba ”, she sobbed, her voice breaking as the weight of years of disappointment finally surfaced.

“ Uski kya galti, woh touh wohi kar raha tha jouh usse Dada-jaan sikha kar gaye the. But you...”, she stood up, her movements sudden, almost desperate, turning to face him fully, her eyes filled with hurt that had long turned into resentment, “ not only did you take us back there but pushed me into the same pit again. ”

[What fault was his? He was just doing what Dada-jaan had taught him. But you…]

“ How do you know all that... ”, Wajahat asked, his voice faltering, confusion and fear flickering across his face as if the ground beneath him had shifted.

“ How long do you think all this would be hidden? ”, Safiya snapped, her patience long gone, her tone sharp and unforgiving.

“ Mama went against dada-jaan for me and you? You accepted everything baba. And now you are blaming Zaviyar for hating me? ”, she let out a hollow chuckle, one that carried no humor, only pain.

“ But he's better than you. You know why? At least he shows me his true feelings, he didn't hide his emotions from me. Or give me false hope. Yes he told me to not expect anything from this relationship and he wasn't wrong. Why should he take responsibility for a mistake you guys did.. ”

“ Mujhe nhi pta tha ki mere baba buzdil hain... ”, she whispered, yet the softness of her voice made the words even more piercing.

[I didn’t know that my father was a coward …]

“ Safiya... ”, Rabiya stepped forward quickly, clutching Safiya's shoulder as if trying to pull her back from crossing a line that could never be undone.

“ yeh kya tareeqa hain baat karne ka... ”, she reprimanded, her voice shaking between authority and helplessness.

[What kind of way is this to talk?]

“ Aur kis way mein baat karu? ”, Safiya turned to her, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her expression a mix of defiance and brokenness.

[Then how should I talk?]

“ You asked me right? If he forces me to do anything? Thank god he doesn't ”, her voice dropped, her gaze lowering as memories she wished to forget clawed their way back. Her eyes welled up and for a brief moment she looked fragile like she would shatter if touched.

“ But let me ask you, what if he did force me. Tab aap kya karti? ”, her body shuddered as she wrapped her arms around herself, holding her own waist tightly as if trying to protect herself from an invisible threat, but her attempt to appear strong crumbled right before them.

[ But let me ask you, what if he did force me. What would you have done? ]

“ Mein uski jaan leleta... ”, Wajahat roared, his voice echoing through the room, his face turning red with rage, his fists clenched as if he meant every word.

[ I would have killed him ]

“ Funny how you both question him when you should be questioning yourselves.”, Safiya chuckled softly, shaking her head, disbelief evident in her expression.

“ Zaviyar was scary at the start. Baat baat par mujhe daant ta tha, and i felt so lonely there. I felt like i had nobody in this world. Kisko batati apni problems. Koi sunne ko tayyar hee nhi tha. Meri galti thi that I agreed to all this. Ek point pe lga what if I run away? ”, her voice softened, each word carrying the exhaustion of those days, her eyes distant as if she was back in that house, alone and unheard.

[ Funny how you both question him when you should be questioning yourselves.

Zaviyar was scary at start. He used to scold me over everything and I felt so lonely there.

I felt like I had nobody in this world. Whom would I tell my problems to?

No one was ready to listen. It was my fault that I agreed to all this.

At one point I even thought, what if I run away? ]

“ Zaviyar was in his own ‘i can't accept you as my wife’ phase. You both were too busy with your business and holding your class and respect in the society. Tayi-ammi and abbu were busy handling the relatives and explaining how the bride changed overnight. ”, her words came out uneven, like she was struggling to breathe through them.

“ Khwaish and Kabir had their studies. I couldn't tell Adira and Ahaan anything because I had to uphold this bloody image that my parents do care for me and I'm not a freaking charity case. And the entire Azamgarh was busy slut shaming me for wearing formal clothes. ”, Rabiya closed her eyes, her chest tightening as guilt seeped into her veins.

“ Sar nhi dhaka— prostitute. Has rahi hain— prostitute.

Job kar rahi hain— prostitute. Ladko jese kapde pehen ti hain— prostitute.

Aur pta nhi kya kya bol rahe the, that I'm a cheap girl who is after him for his money. But i was too tired to fight them.. ”, Safiya counted on her fingers slowly, her voice almost numb now, as if she had repeated these accusations to herself so many times that they no longer shocked her, only drained her.

[People were calling me a prostitute for not covering my head.

If I smiled, or laughed too loud—prostitute.

If I worked—characterless. If I wore formal clothes—prostitute.

If I dressed like boys—prostitute. They said I was a cheap girl who was after his money.

]

[Okay, bye. I’ll talk to you at night. ]

“ Everyday yeh sab sunke, ek point mein touh lagne laga ki mein sach mein hee yateem aur ek prosti— ”, Safiya’s voice cracked midway, the word dying on her lips as if even saying it out loud made it too real, too suffocating.

[Hearing all this every day, at one point I started feeling like maybe I really am an orphan and a prosti—]

Before she could complete it, Rabiya rushed forward and clutched her mouth, her hands trembling uncontrollably, tears spilling down her cheeks one after the other.

“ Bas aur mat kaho. Mera jee ghabra rha hain. ”, she pleaded, her voice breaking under the weight of guilt and fear, as if hearing those words from her own daughter was enough to shatter her completely.

[Stop… don’t say anything more. I feel suffocated.]

“ I'm really sorry Safiya. It's all my fault. I should have never forced you to marry him. It's all my fault. We shouldn't have gone to Azamgarh at all. ”, Rabiya cried harder now, her shoulders shaking as she held onto Safiya, as if afraid she would lose her if she let go even for a second.

“ Maybe mama but i think everything happens for something good.

I forgive both of you, it's just that I won't be able to forget about all this. No one thought that much about it. Bas aap apni izzat bachate bachate apni beti kho di aap logone. ”, Safiya said quietly, her tone no longer sharp but heavy, each word carrying a calm acceptance that hurt more than anger ever could.

[ While saving your respect, you lost your daughter.]

Wajahat stood there for a moment, his lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something, to defend himself or to apologise but no words came out.

His shoulders dropped, his gaze lowering in defeat and without another word, he turned away and walked out of the room, his steps slower than before, as if each step carried the burden of everything he had just heard.

“ I'll talk to him later. And I'm sorry yet not that sorry for speaking my mind. I've been bottling too much and i— ”, Safiya’s voice trailed off as she sank back onto the edge of the bed, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion, her hands resting limply on her lap.

“ I know. It's our fault somewhere or the other for making you feel so alienated.

Just know that I'm always there for you Safiya.

Your dad, back then he tried to oppose it too.

But it was very difficult for him to leave his family.

Your dada-jaan had a lot of influence. We were scared that if we didn't agree to his conditions he would take you away from us. ”, Rabiya said with a deep sigh, her voice softer now, laced with regret and helplessness.

“ It was not easy to leave everything and run away from there. Building a life here, while making sure to give you a perfect life. But i agree that it was partly my fault for assuming that Zaviyar would be a little better than his grandfather. ”, she continued, her eyes lowering as she finally admitted the mistake she had tried to justify for years.

Safiya slowly reached out and held her mother’s hand, squeezing it gently, a silent reassurance passing between them despite everything that had been said.

“ He- he's not bad, he might not be the best. But he is so much better than what everyone makes of him.

He has flaws but i can't ignore the fact that he is trying to change.

He can't even bear to see a scratch on me.

I don't like it when you make assumptions about him without knowing how he really is. ”, she said, a small broken smile forming on her lips, one that carried both hesitation and something softer that she herself had not fully accepted yet.

“ Tumhari baaton se touh lag rha hain ki meri beti ko bhi usse mohabbat hogayi hain. ”, Rabiya teased gently, a faint smile appearing on her face, her heart easing just a little seeing that softness in Safiya.

[From the way you’re talking, it seems like my daughter has fallen in love with him.]

Just then Safiya’s ringtone cut through the moment, the sudden sound making her blink as her phone screen lit up with a familiar caller id.

“ Kiski call hain...”, Rabiya asked, leaning slightly to peek at the screen.

[Whose call is it…]

“ Oh... ”, she made a small ‘o’, her brows lifting in amusement as she read the nickname Safiya had saved.

“ Zaviyar...”, she muttered under her breath, her smile widening knowingly.

“ Baadme call karungi... ”, Safiya said quickly, fumbling slightly as she tried to end the call before it could connect.

(I'll call him later...)

“ Chalo idhar laao. ”, Rabiya said, taking the phone from her before she could react, her fingers swiftly tapping the screen and switching on the speaker, clearly enjoying this far more than she should.

[Come on, give it here.]

“ Jaan, tum ghar jaake mujhe bhul gayi. Tum sahi salamat pohoch touh gayi ho na. Kuch takleef touh nhi horahi na tumhe waha. ”, Zaviyar’s voice came from the other side, warm and laced with concern, and instantly

[My love, you went home and forgot me. You reached safely, right? You’re not facing any trouble there, right?]

Safiya’s face turned a deep shade of red, resembling a ripe tomato as Rabiya glanced at her with a teasing smile.

“ zaviyar beta, itni chinta thi touh biwi ko akele yaha kyu veja. Khud ne bhi aana tha na iske saath... ”, Rabiya quipped playfully, her tone light yet pointed, making the line go silent for a brief moment.

[Zaviyar beta, if you were so worried, then why did you send your wife alone? You should have come with her.]

“ mein touh aana chahta tha, woh touh ammi neh kha ki riwaaj hain yeh...”, his voice came back, slightly awkward now, almost like he had been caught off guard. Safiya could only slap her forehead in embarrassment, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

At the last moment, he too wanted to accompany her but Riffat refused since she wanted Safiya to stay with her parents a little and relax before going back to Azamgarh.

[ I wanted to go, but ammi said it's ritual and I can only go later to take her ]

“ Me-mein baadme baat karungi tumse. Ba-bye. ”, Safiya stuttered hurriedly, snatching the phone back and cutting the call before he could say anything further.

[I—I’ll talk to you later. Bye.]

“ Badle badle se hain andaaz aapke... ”, Rabiya teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief, watching Safiya hide her face in her palms.

[Your style seems different now…]

“ Ammi... Pleaseeeee ”, Safiya groaned, her voice filled with frustration as she tried to escape the teasing.

“ I'm sorry for what i did before Safiya. But i am happy that you are happy with him. ”, Rabiya said softly, her hand coming up to caress Safiya’s head with affection, her touch gentle and full of warmth.

“ Chalo... Mein touh jaa rahi hu. Tum apne shohar se baat karlo. Pta chala bichare ka bp high hogaya. ”, she added with a teasing smile before finally walking out of the room, leaving Safiya alone.

[Come on, I’m leaving. You talk to your husband. Who knows, the poor guy’s blood pressure might go high.]

As soon as Rabiya stepped out, Safiya let out a small breath she didn’t realise she had been holding and immediately video called Zaviyar, her fingers hesitating for just a second before pressing the button.

“ H-hello. ”, she said softly when the call connected, her voice still carrying traces of the earlier embarrassment, her eyes flickering nervously.

“ Assalamualaikum biwi...”, he greeted huskily, his voice deeper than usual as he lay lazily on the swivel chair in his office, the dim lighting making his features look sharper.

“ Aap kahi humeh bhul touh nhi gayi. ”, he said with a smirk playing on his lips, his gaze fixed on the screen. From the corner of her eyes, Safiya noticed the pink, glittery lighter twirling between his fingers, a small detail that somehow made the moment feel even more real.

[You haven’t forgotten me, right?]

“ Ji aap koun baat kar rahe hai. ”, she acted innocently, her foolish smile threatening to give her away as she tried to keep her voice steady.

[ hello, who is this speaking? ]

“ Don't tease me... ”, Zaviyar said with a pout, sitting up straight as his eyes locked onto the screen with surprising seriousness, as if he could see right through her little act.

“ are you working now? ” , Safiya asked

“ I am... ”, he replied, flipping the camera to show her the scattered files and documents lying across the table, proof of his unfinished work.

“ uhm- I'll talk to you later then. I have to eat something. ”, she said, trying to escape before he could pull her further into his mood.

“ give me a kiss.... ”, he added casually, leaning back into his chair as if it was the most natural demand in the world.

“ Jis vyakti se aap sampark karna chahte hain woh kisi dusre call peh vyast hain... ”, she immediately switched off the video call and said in a mechanical, robotic tone, unable to hide the mischief in her eyes.

[The person you are trying to reach is busy on another call…]

“ Miss operator, mein apni biwi se bas ek kiss maang rha hu. Kya woh mujhe milega. ”, he requested sweetly, his voice softening in a way that always made her heart betray her.

[Miss operator, I’m just asking my wife for one kiss. Will I get it?]

“ Nhi..... ”, Safiya showed him her tongue along with a thumbs down, switching the video on for barely a second before disappearing again.

[No…..]

“ Safiya... Will you deny a dying man his last wish? ”, he said, his tone half playful and half desperate becausr right now he truly missed her more than he wanted to admit.

“ Marne ki baatein na kiya karein... ”, she said softly, her teasing faltering just a little at his words.

[Don’t talk about dying…]

“ aur aap maarne vaali baatein na kiya karein begum ”, he muttered, closing his eyes as he rested his head back against the chair, exhaling slowly as if even her voice was enough to undo him

[And you shouldn’t say things that could kill me, my dear wife.]

“ Chalo bye... ”, she said lightly, to regain control of herself.

(Okay bye)

“ I love you... ”, Zaviyar said into the phone, his voice low and certain, as if it carried more weight than just words.

“ goodbye.... ”

Safiya cut the call abruptly, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. She had seen that prank everywhere where people refused to say I love you back just to see their partner’s reaction and right now, she was enjoying this far too much.

Her phone rang again almost immediately, the sharp sound echoing in her room. She picked it up, only to flinch slightly at the sudden shift in his voice.

“ Why didn't you say it back.... ”, Zaviyar asked, his tone edged with offense and something far more demanding as if he expected an answer he deserved. She could already see the pout, along with the worry lines on his face.

“ Say what? ”, Safiya asked casually, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger, secretly enjoying how possessive he sounded.

“ I said I love you... ”, Zaviyar said, his frown deepening as he waited.

“ Oh.... Uh— i too like you. ”, His frown darkened instantly, his jaw tightening as her words settled in.

“ Safiya, fuck— you are driving me crazy. Say it... stop teasing me ”, he muttered, dragging his palm down his face in frustration as her laughter reached him through the phone.

“ You are laughing... After giving me a heart attack? ”, he said, offended now, his patience hanging by a thread.

“ Tum bhi na.... Itne serious hogaye. ”, she giggled, a blush creeping onto her face the moment his voice dropped into something huskier, more dangerous.

[gosh, you got so serious.]

“ Keep teasing me over the phone like that and you will find me on your bed tomorrow. ”, he said quietly but there was no mistaking the intent behind his words. It was hard not to believe him when he spoke like that.

“ And you think I'll let you in? ”, Safiya shot back, trying to keep up her playful front, even though her heartbeat had already betrayed her.

“ Oh, you absolutely fucking will. ”, A shiver ran down her spine as his voice dipped lower, darker, sending a strange warmth through her.

“ M-mein call rakh rahi hu... ”, she stammered, suddenly aware of how affected she was.

[I’m hanging up the call…]

“ You should rest now, love.”

“ i l-love you, avi.... ”, she finally said, her face burning as the words slipped out in a rush.

“ I too love you jaan. ”, he murmured softly, his expression easing just a little as he was about to end the call.

Just then, the door to Safiya's room burst open without warning.

She looked up in shock, only to see two heads popping in at once. Before she could even react, she was pulled into a bone crushing hug, her phone still pressed against her ear.

“ I missed you so much my chipkali. ”, Ahaan said, tightening his hold around her as if he would never let go.

[I missed you so much, my lizard.]

“ Safiya? ”, Zaviyar’s voice came through, sharp and alert now.

Safiya stood there, still holding her phone, while she and Ahaan began jumping in the same spot like overexcited children, laughter spilling out of them uncontrollably after what felt like ages apart.

“ Safiya yeh kiski awaaz hain... ”, Zaviyar asked, panic creeping into his voice as he slammed his hand against the table on his side.

[Safiya, whose voice is that…?]

Snapping back to reality, Safiya quickly brought the phone closer.

“ I-its ahaan and adira. They came to visit me. Okay, bye. I'll talk to you at night. ”, she rushed out before cutting the call without giving him a chance to respond.

Before she could even take a proper breath, Adira came running and jumped onto both of them, sending all three crashing onto the floor in a tangled mess of laughter and limbs.

Their laughter filled the room as they hugged each other again, talking over one another, ranting, complaining and catching up all at once like no time had passed between them.

On the other hand, Agastya and Akshat stood frozen, their eyes wide as they stared at Zaviyar.

He had not even noticed when they had walked into his office and taken their seats, too consumed by the storm brewing inside him.

Zaviyar glared at his phone for a long moment before placing it aside with controlled force. His fingers tapped furiously against the tablet screen before he abruptly tossed it away, frustration evident in every movement.

He spun slightly in his swivel chair, turning toward his desk, only to nearly let out a startled sound when his eyes landed on Akshat and Agastya watching him from the doorway.

Rolling his eyes, he quickly looked away, as if their presence was the least of his concerns.

Because right now, his real problem had a name. Ahaan.

The man who, for some reason, seemed far too comfortable invading his wife's personal space.

Zaviyar’s jaw tightened he watcheh them with his gaze darkening at the sight of Ahaan near his wife.

“ get your hands off my wife, bloody piece of shit ”, he muttered under his breath, his voice low and dangerous as he saw Ahaan’s arm casually wrapped around Safiya’s shoulder while they walked out together.

He clicked his tongue in irritation before switching the camera, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen as he pulled up Mansi's ring camera that was stationed right outside Safiya's room. The moment the footage appeared, his gaze sharpened, his entire focus narrowing onto that one frame.

Mansi had followed Safiya just like instructed and for a second everything seemed normal, until his breath hitched.

Zaviyar almost had a heart attack when he saw Ahaan casually sitting beside Safiya on the table, leaning in just a little too close as he whispered something into her ear. His jaw clenched instantly.

It was not that he did not trust his wife. He trusted her more than anyone else in this world. But the men around her. That was a completely different matter.

“ Saale... Dur reh meri biwi se.. ”, he muttered under his breath, his voice low and filled with a dangerous edge as his eyes remained glued to the screen.

[ stay away from my wife, you bastard. ]

The next second, his fist slammed hard against the table, the impact echoing through the room as a sharp sting shot through his knuckles, bruising them instantly. He did not even flinch.

He was already on the verge of grabbing his phone and calling his men, ready to order them to wipe Ahaan off the face of the earth, consequences be damned, if only that man had not been his wife's best friend.

His fingers twitched, itching to just press the SOS button and alert his men anyway. The urge burned under his skin, relentless and tempting.

“No murders this month… Adhira said it’s auspicious and even tied this little red dhaga on my wrist. ”, Agastya and Zaviyar both slowly turned their heads toward Akshat, staring at him like he had just grown two heads right in front of them.

“ Bhai, tu thori der chup beth..”, Agastya said as he leaned back, “ Bad luck iski jindagi mein aajayega agar woh Banda iski bandi ko pta ke leke Gaya auspicious muhrat dekh ke ”

[Brother, sit quietly for a while… Bad luck will enter his life if that guy woos his girlfriend and takes her away after choosing an auspicious time.]

Zaviyar’s glare immediately shifted toward Agastya, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous thought crossed his mind. Could he shoot both of them right now and get away with it.

“ Can your men kidnap this guy? ”, Zaviyar asked suddenly, his tone calm but his eyes still burning as he picked up a file containing Ahaan’s details and threw it toward Agastya.

Agastya caught it without hesitation and nodded immediately, as if this was just another normal discussion for them.

“ sure, give me the date and time. ”, Before he could even open the file, Akshat leaned forward, snatched it from his hands, and tossed it away with an annoyed sigh, clearly done with both of them.

“ Yeh aadmi sathya gaya hain, tu isko chhor hum chalte hain. Wese bhi meri dinner date hain Adhira ke saath. ”, Akshat said, getting up from his seat as he headed toward the door without looking back.

[This man has lost his mind, leave him, let’s go. Anyway, I have a date with Adhira.]

Agastya stayed back for a moment, his eyes lingering on Zaviyar before he spoke, his voice much more serious now.

“ You can go there and claim your wife or stay here, holding onto your 16th century traditions, and hatred and see another man be with your wife. The choice is yours. ”, Zaviyar did not respond, his gaze still fixed on the screen where Ahaan now sat comfortably, as if he belonged there.

Agastya got up and took a few steps toward the door before pausing, turning his head slightly.

“ Since you have already planted those cameras around their house, use them a little against your uncle as well.”, With that, he walked out, not bothering to look back.

Zaviyar remained where he was, unmoving, his expression dark as his eyes followed every little movement on the screen.

Right now, Ahaan was sharing phirni with Safiya.

And that sight alone was enough to make something inside him snap.

“ Kal 12 baje ready rahiyo... ”, Adira called out, glancing back at Safiya with a grin before they sped out of the driveway, disappearing beyond the gates.

[ be ready at 12 noon tomorrow ]

Safiya stood there for a moment, watching them go, a faint smile lingering on her lips before she turned around. Her steps halted instantly.

Wajahat stood there, waiting. There was something about his posture, something unusually solemn, that made her expression shift.

“ Can we talk, beta? ”, he asked quietly.

Safiya nodded without a word and walked past him, heading straight toward her room, knowing he would follow. Mansi moved to follow them as well but Safiya raised her hand slightly, stopping her.

“ Tum guest room mein jao, rest kar lo. ”, she said softly, giving her a small nod.

Mansi hesitated for a second before stepping back, allowing them their space.

.Safiya entered Wajahat’s study room, letting out a long breath as she walked in.

The familiar scent of old books and polished wood filled the air.

She moved toward the sofa and finally sat down, leaning back as if preparing herself for whatever was about to come..Wajahat followed her quietly and took a seat beside her.

“ I really want to talk to you about some things, Safiya. ”

“ You are probably confused about what is happening in this family, right? ” Safiya nodded her head slightly, her eyes fixed on him now.

Wajahat let out a deep sigh before reaching into his wallet. He pulled out an old photograph and handed it to her. Safiya looked down at it.

It was their old family picture. Wajahat, Rabiya and her. They looked perfect. Happy and Completely untouched by the chaos of Azamgarh or the weight of traditions that once surrounded them.

“ Life wasn't easy for me, Safiya. After my parents died, all my money and property was stolen by my family.

I was left as an orphan. That's when my dad's best friend, Mansoor khan or my baba took me in as his son.

He didn't adopt me but never treated me any less than his son. ”, Safiya listened carefully.

“ The khans were from a royal lineage. After the colonial rule, it somewhat diminished. But after independence, the government abolished royal titles and privileges, stripping families of any official authority. But the authority, the respect, the traditions remained untouched. ”, Safiya's eyes widened.

“ The ancestral estate stayed with us, maintained not as a monument but as a home. Over time, the palace became more than just a residence, its presence shaped the village’s identity and economy. ”

“ So Zaviyar is basically a royal? ”, Wajahat nodded.

“ And how is he so rich? ”, she asked because she never saw any source of income.

“ Baba entered into politics, then we brothers’ started factories.

Zaviyar converted all outside estates into businesses.

.. heritage hotels, tourism ventures or leased properties, invested in modern industries.

He has some links with MLAs and political parties.

Khans are no longer rulers by law but we still hold the royal title. ”, Safiya scratched her head.

“ As we all grew up, he wanted me to marry into his family, so that our relationship could be sealed. But I loved your mother too much to let her go. So I married her and brought her home... ”, He did not look at her while speaking.

His eyes were closed, his expression distant, as if he was walking through memories he had buried long ago.

“ I know that, baba. But you always told me that you left Azamgarh as soon as you married mom. So that was a lie right? ”, she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

“ Yes, we stayed there for a few years. We had you and we couldn't ask for anything more. Your dada-jaan, he wanted me to be a part of the family, not only in name but also be related by blood. He was delighted when you were born. He really loved you. And told me that he wanted Zaviyar and you to be engaged. I told him that it could be done once you both grew up but he insisted that you would rebel since you had your mom's blood..”, Safiya let out a scoff, her fingers tightening around the photograph. Had that man been alive today, she would have slapped him without a second thought. Zaviyar’s respect could go to hell.

“ And so you agreed. ”, she said, leaning back into the sofa, her tone laced with sharp amusement as she looked at her father.

“ I couldn't say no— ”

“ You were just scared that he would throw you out. ”, she cut him off, her voice hardening as she gritted her teeth.

“ Mein hoti touh udhar hee saree nawab giri nikaal deti. Meri mama ke baarein mein esa kehni ki himmat kese hui uss aadmi ki? ”, Her eyes burned with anger now, her chest rising and falling as the words left her.

[If I were there, I would have shown him his place right then. How dare that man speak like that about my mother?]

“ Safiya, I really respect him and so does Zaviyar. ”, Wajahat said, his voice carrying a quiet firmness, as if he was trying to make her understand something she had already decided to reject.

Safiya let out a hollow scoff, her lips curling in disbelief as she turned to face him properly.

“ Touh? Aarti utaru kya unki? Yaa fir unki gulami kaaru?

Sorry baba, I don't like him. He didn't love me... He loved the thought of me listening to him, being the reason the family would be bonded by a permanent relationship. Ab touh mujhe bura lag rha hain ki woh chal baseh. Zinda hoteh touh mein batati ki mein sachme meri mama ki beti hu. ”, Safiya said, her tone sharp yet eerily calm, as if every word had been sitting inside her for years, waiting for this moment to spill out.

Her mind was no longer in the room. It had already drifted elsewhere, weaving silent plans, around the downfall of Mansoor Khan. There was no guilt in her chest, no flicker of remorse. Why should there be?

That man had done nothing but destroy lives, control destinies and demand respect simply because he was born a man. Respect was earned, not imposed and he had never deserved it.

“ The thought of losing my family once again scared me— ”, Wajahat sighed deeply, his voice breaking slightly as he rubbed his palms together, feeling them damp with sweat. The weight of his past seemed to press against him, suffocating him even now.

Safiya turned towards him slowly, her eyes narrowing, her voice softer but far more piercing.

“ And the thought of losing your daughter didn't scare you? ”, Wajahat looked at her, guilt flashing across his face before he lowered his gaze.

“ It did beta. I just couldn't refuse him and your mother, she threatened to run away with you alone. I begged her to give me time to explain the situation to baba... ”, For a brief moment, something shifted inside Safiya.

Her chest grew with pride, not for the men in her family, but for her mother. At least she had the courage to fight, to stand up for herself and her child. Something the men, despite their authority, had always lacked.

“ And then? ”, she asked, her voice quieter now, though the heaviness in it remained. Wajahat took a slow breath, as if reliving the memory in fragments.

“ One night your mother was sneaking out of the back side of the house. She had prepared the car, she took all the money and jewelry and took you along. I caught her doing so... and that night we both ran away together... ”, Safiya’s eyes widened, her breath hitching slightly.

The words felt unreal, like a story she should have known but never did.

Why didn’t she remember any of this? Why had this part of her life been buried so deep?

“ We went away to Mangaluru... Away from all this.

But I struggled to make a living there, as you know.

We couldn't come back till we knew everything was sorted back here. ”, She nodded slowly, fragments of blurred memories surfacing in her mind.

The streets, the smaller house, the quieter life.

Mangaluru suddenly made sense, yet it also raised more questions than answers.

“ That's fine. But why didn't you tell me this after I grew up. Or before taking me back there. Or even when I was getting married to him. I was supposed to know about all this. After all it concerns me.. ”, she said, her voice trembling now with anger and hurt, the betrayal cutting deeper than she expected.

“ I was scared that you would hate me... ”, Wajahat said quickly, almost desperately, as if that fear had haunted him for years.

Safiya’s expression softened instantly. She stepped closer, her eyes glistening slightly as she shook her head.

“ I don't hate you baba. I can never hate you. Why would you think that? I am doing everything for you baba. My studies, my goals, even this marriage. I did all of it because you wanted me to. Please don't hide anything from me ever. ”, Wajahat’s face softened, pride and guilt mixing in his eyes as he cupped her cheeks gently, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

“ I'm sorry for everything Safiya. ”, he murmured, his voice heavy with regret.

“ I understand baba. I, too am sorry for speaking to you like that. ”, she said before pulling him into a tight hug, finally feeling as if a missing piece of her life had fallen into place.

As she held him, memories began to flood her mind, not of wealth or status but of struggle and silent sacrifices.

How could she ever hate this man? The man who had given up his family, his comfort, his everything, just to give her a better life.

The man who drove her to tuition classes through heavy rain and violent thunderstorms without ever complaining.

The man who would quietly fill the fridge with all her favorite food, even when money was tight. The man who would stand outside her examination center for hours, waiting patiently with water and snacks, just so she wouldn’t feel alone after her exams.

Money and luxury had come much later. The house, the respect, the status, all of it was built from nothing, built by him. Brick by brick, sacrifice by sacrifice. She pulled away slowly, wiping the corner of her eye before composing herself.

“ You should go take rest, it's already too late. ”

As soon as Safiya stepped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her, the air inside seemed to change. The warmth that lingered moments ago disappeared, replaced by something cold and unsettling.

Wajahat stood still for a moment before walking towards the plant placed near the door and pretended to knock it down by mistake.

His movements were slow, deliberate. He bent down slightly and reached behind the leaves, all while pretending to straighten the plant.

He acted as if he was fixing it, casually smearing dirt over the camera.

Then, without drawing attention, he pulled it out from behind the leaf.

His eyes darkened as he inspected it carefully, the realization settling in..Without a second thought, he crushed it between his fingers, the fragile device snapping under the pressure of his thumb and index finger.

His face hardened completely. He walked back to his desk, his posture straight, his expression devoid of emotion as he picked up his phone and dialed a number. The moment the call connected, he spoke in a low, controlled voice.

“ Do it ”, He ended the call immediately, not waiting for a response. Just as he placed the phone down, it rang again.

An unknown number flashed on the screen. For a brief second, he hesitated but then picked it up.

“ Why are you avoiding my calls Wajahat? ”, a gruff voice echoed through the phone, sending a chill down his spine.

“ I.. I was just busy. ”, Wajahat replied, his voice betraying his unease.

“ Busy? Or are you trying to betray me? Are you forgetting what you owe me? You still have the blood of killing people on your hands. If it had not been for me, your daughter and wife would have been dead. ”, Wajahat’s grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning pale.

“ What else do you want? I have already sacrificed my child to repay you. ”

“ My intentions are simple... ”, the man said, his tone dark and calculated. Wajahat closed his eyes slowly, already knowing what was coming next.

“ You didn't forget our terms and conditions right? I save you and you help me. ”

“ I-i rem-member. ”, he stuttered slightly, wiping the sweat forming on his forehead.

“ Then stop being a rat and tell your daughter to get evidence against him. You know right, that it won't take me a minute to end your daughter. ”, Wajahat fell back into his chair, his chest rising and falling heavily.

“ If you kill her then you won't get anything. ”

“ That's why I'm keeping her alive. But I think she has fallen in love with Zaviyar. It's even better. ”, the man let out a cruel laugh, one that echoed in Wajahat’s ears long after the words ended.

“ The revenge will be good. ”

The call ended. For a moment, silence consumed the room. Then suddenly, Wajahat threw his phone across the room, the sound of it hitting the wall breaking the stillness. His breathing grew uneven as his eyes landed on the photograph placed on his desk.

Safiya’s smiling face stared back at him. Something inside him snapped. He picked up the frame and hurled it with force. It hit the wall and shattered instantly, glass pieces scattering across the floor.

Just like everything else. Just like the relationships, the trus and the bonds that had been breaking silently for years.

_______________________________________

Safiya walked into her room, exhaustion clinging to her like a second skin. She freshened up quietly, letting the cold water calm her racing thoughts, before slipping into her soft satin pajamas.

The fabric hugged her just right, light and comforting. She reached for her phone without wasting another second and made a video call. It was almost eleven. Zaviyar answered almost instantly, as if he had been waiting for her call all along.

Her lips curved into a soft smile the moment his face appeared on the screen. He was sitting in his study, specs resting perfectly on his nose, his hair slightly messy like he had been running his fingers through it. He was shirtless, and she could tell he was wearing nothing but sweatpants.

Her dupatta from morning around his neck!

‘hayee kitna handsome lag rha hai’ (oh God, he looks so handsome)

she breathed out softly, her chest tightening with a strange mix of longing and comfort. She missed disturbing him, his arms wrapping around her, the warmth that came with simply being close to him. She missed him.

Safiya flopped onto the bed, lying on her stomach as she adjusted her phone to face her properly. Zaviyar almost forgot how to breathe seeing her like that. She looked breathtaking, effortlessly beautifu and she was not even with him. That somehow made it worse.

“ How was your day, love? ” he asked, his fingers moving towards his specs, about to take them off.

“ It was good. I had fun. ” she replied casually, completely unaware that he had already heard everything she had said to her parents earlier.

He watched her quietly. Her outburst had been justified. More than that, it had been honest. And that honesty had shaken him. Every word she had spoken, every bit of pain she had hidden so well, had clawed at his chest. He had felt suffocated listening to it.

He had gone for a run after that, trying to clear his head, trying to breathe. But nothing had really helped. Now, looking at her, glowing and smiling, he made a silent decision. He would not ruin this moment, not tonight.

Maybe she needed that outburst. After talking to Akshat’s wife, Adhira, something inside her had shifted. Her conscience had finally pushed her to question things she had buried for too long.

“ Keep the specs, you look handsome that way. ” she said, resting her head lazily on the pillow, her eyes fixed on him. “ And yours? Was it good? ”, he shrugged lightly. “ Work was usual. ”

“ I called you but you didn't answer. It's been so long since I have seen your face, I was missing you. ”, His eyes flickered, almost instinctively, to the laptop beside him. It displayed multiple live feeds of her from different angles. More than thirtyu.

“ Haan woh Ahaan aur Adhira aaye the na. Thodi der pehle nikle bas. ” , she said casually. Zaviyar straightened immediately at the mention of Ahaan’s name.

(Yes, Ahaan and Adhira had come. They just left a while ago)

“ Aur ab aap kya kar rahi hain... ”, he asked, leaning back in his chair, unknowingly giving her a clear view of his toned abs.

(And what are you doing now...)

“ I was going to sleep. ” she replied, and then suddenly remembered why she had called him in the first place.

“ Did you have dinner? ” she asked, her tone soft, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

“ Yes, thore der pehle hee dinner kiya. , he nodded, looking almost like an obedient child.

(Yes, I had dinner a while ago)

“ Avi~ ”, The shift in her tone was instant. Sharp.

“ Hmm... ” he hummed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He loved this side of her. Her bossy side only made her more adorable in his eyes.

“ Do you really think that Akshat sold those cameras only to you? ”, Zaviyar choked, his eyes widening at her sudden question.

How did she know?

“ What— ”

“ Koi dinner leke aata hoga. Mene phone karke bol diya hain. Aur tum mere saamne bethke dinner karoge. ” , she cut him off smoothly, leaving no space for argument.

(Someone will bring dinner. I have already called and told them. And you will sit and eat in front of me)

“ How— ”

“ Do you think I'm stupid? Or do you think I'm blind? ” she asked sweetly, her smile dangerously calm.

“ Good for you I find your possessiveness hot, miyan ji. ” , she added teasingly.

(husband dear)

Before he could even react, she got up from the bed and walked towards the nightstand. She picked up the lamp, reached inside, and pulled out a tiny hidden camera.

“ How many did you plant? 20? 30? ” she chuckled softly. Then she held up her iPad, showing him something. It was not twenty or thirty. It was madness. Tiny pixels scattered everywhere. There had to be over a hundred cameras.

“ I might have gone a little overboard, right? ” she giggled, clearly amused. Zaviyar dragged a hand down his face.

“ I'm going to kill Akshat... ” he muttered, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior.

Of course Akshat had done this. That sly fox had sold cameras to both of them.

“ Don't. Adhira will be sad. ” Safiya warned lightly.

Zaviyar dropped his head onto the table with a soft thud, letting out a long sigh. His wife was no less than him. And he loved it. Still, Akshat deserved at least a few broken bones.

Meanwhile, somewhere far away, Akshat suddenly hiccuped. He frowned for a second before going back to enjoying his time with his wife under her tshirt, completely unaware of the storm waiting for him.

Back on the call, Safiya leaned forward slightly, her expression turning serious again.

“ And don't you dare remove them. ” she warned. Zaviyar closed his eyes for a brief second, exhaling slowly. She looked sinful, absolutely sinful wearing satin pajamas. And she was miles away from him. It felt like torture.

“ You aren't angry. ” he finally said, trying to shift the conversation.

“ I am no better than you. Also I saw how you closed the laptop when I was changing my clothes.

That was cute of you... But just for your knowledge, I didn't switch off the camera while you were wearing your clothes. ” she said, giggling softly.

He shook his head, a quiet smile forming on his lips.

Of course she did not. It was Safiya after all.

“ You know I'm watching you and still you wore that to bed. Are you teasing me? ” he asked, his gaze darkening slightly as he noticed how she angled her phone, her cleavage subtly visible, no effort made to hide it like before.

“ What if I am? You can't do anything about it. ” she teased, her legs swaying lazily in the air. She was enjoying this. Every bit of it. His longing, his restraint. His ‘missing my wife’ syndrome. Just then a idea popped in her mind.

She quickly went back and clicked a snap before sending it to him on WhatsApp on once view.

“ Fuck... you are testing my patience. ”, he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening just a little as irritation flickered in his eyes. Just then, a knock echoed against the door, cutting through the charged moment.

“ Eat your dinner, Zaviyar. ”, Safiya ordered, narrowing her eyes at his dramatic eye roll, her tone holding that familiar authority he both resisted and obeyed.

“ I'd rather eat you. ”, the corner of his lip curled into a slow, dangerous smirk before his face turned neutral again, as if he hadn’t just said something that could set her entire being on fire. The staff entered just then, silently plating his dinner and placing it neatly on the table.

Safiya hid her face deep into her pillow, her fingers clutching the fabric as she struggled to come up with a reply.

She wanted to smack him on the head for that, really she did.

But at the same time, her stomach fluttered uncontrollably, betraying her as memories of his arms wrapped around her last night crept in.

“ Shut up. Where did you even learn those comebacks from? ”, she snapped the moment the staff walked out of his office, her voice trying to sound stern but lacking its usual sharpness.

Zaviyar only smirked, completely unbothered, as he took a spoonful of pulao and ate it casually.

“ From your dark romance books which you hide behind your law books... ”, Safiya’s eyes widened instantly, her breath hitching. She had hidden those books very carefully. He had once almost caught her reading one and she still remembered how quickly she had shut it that day.

“ And you never told me you read those? ”, she said quickly, trying to divert the attention away from herself.

Embarrassment crept up her cheeks because she knew exactly which book he was referring to.and that particular one had scenes that could easily make anyone question her decency.

“ I'd rather prefer recreating them, love. ”, The way he said it, with a straight face, no hesitation, no shame. It made her heart stutter.

Safiya shifted uncomfortably on her bed, her fingers curling into the bedsheet as warmth spread through her. He looked impossibly handsome, sitting there and obediently eating his food while casually dropping lines that could ruin her composure in seconds.

If he had been there physically, right in front of her, she knew she wouldn’t have had the strength to resist him. The thought alone made her cough lightly, pulling his attention back to her.

“ Shut up... ”, she muttered, biting the inside of her cheek, her face flushed like that of a newly wedded bride who didn’t know where to look. Trying to change the topic, she spoke again,

“ I'm going out tomorrow with Adira and Ahaan. ”, Zaviyar’s response came almost instantly, his attention sharpening.

“ Where? ”

“ Uhh first Adira and Ahaan will come here and then we will go out, we haven't really discussed. ”, she replied, turning onto her back, her hair spreading across the white bedsheet like silk as she held her phone above her face.

“ And I'm not taking any driver with me. ”, she added quickly, already anticipating his reaction.

“ But... ”

“ No, buts. ”

He paused, watching her stubborn expression, knowing very well pushing further would only make her more annoyed.

“ Fine. Just take care of yourself. ”, His tone softened, but his mind was already working. He had already asked enough questions. She was already irritated. He would just instruct his men to keep an eye on her from a distance, quietly without her knowing.

“ They came by today as well, right? Did you give Adira the gifts I sent for her? ”, he asked, remembering how she had sent him a rakhi and how back then he had no idea what to gift her in return.

“ I did. Ahaan is jealous, since you didn't send anything for him. ”, Zaviyar rolled his eyes slightly.

‘Yes, I'll give him a few kicks and punches for touching my wife.’

He didn’t say it out loud but the thought was clear enough on his face. Safiya was already glaring at him, as if she could read every dangerous idea forming in his head.

“ I have a very special gift for him which I will give him personally. ”, he said with a smirk, something sinister flickering in his eyes.

“ Usse darana bandh karo tum. ”, Safiya warned, her tone firm as she placed her phone on the pillow and turned onto her chest again.

(Stop scaring him)

They kept talking like that, about random things, about nothing and everything at once, their voices filling the silence of the night.

Time slipped away unnoticed until it was almost 2 in the morning.

Safiya’s words slowly faded, her eyelids growing heavy, until she finally drifted off to sleep mid conversation.

Zaviyar smiled softly, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face. He brought the phone closer to himself, his expression softening in a way only she could ever make him. He muttered a quiet prayer, then gently blew over the screen before pressing a soft kiss against it.

“ Good night, my love. ”

___________________________________

The next morning, Zaviyar stirred in his sleep, instinctively extending his arm to the side. His brows furrowed slightly when his hand met nothing but cold emptiness.

Where was she?

His eyes snapped open and he sat up abruptly, his heartbeat picking up for a second before reality settled in. Safiya wasn’t there.

He glanced at the clock. It was only 7 in the morning, far earlier than his usual waking time. He scowled faintly at the empty side of the bed, the untouched pillow irritating him more than it should have. Running a hand through his hair, he got up and walked into the bathroom.

While brushing his teeth, his gaze fell on her toothbrush placed neatly beside his. A small sigh escaped his lips as he reached for the toothpaste.

Safiya had OCD. She always made sure the toothpaste was pressed from the end, never from the middle. And somehow, over time, he had adopted that habit too without even realizing it.

After taking a shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out. Before marriage, he used to roam around casually like this without a second thought. But ever since Safiya had come into his life, many of his habits had quietly changed.

He got dressed quickly, then unplugged his phone from the charger. His thumb hovered over her WhatsApp. He wanted to call her. He really did. But he stopped himself, assuming she was probably in the shower. His appetite was gone, completely. Still he forced himself to head towards the dining area.

Zaviyar walked in and took his usual seat, his movements automatic. Without thinking, he reached out and pulled the chair beside him like he always did for Safiya. It had become a muscle memory.

Then it hit him. His muscles had moved on their own, out of habit. And she wasn’t there. Riffat signalled the staff to serve him parathas but he shook his head.

“ Get me a yogurt bowl, an omelette and apples. ”, he said to one of the staff instead.

Kabir smiled sheepishly, trying to hide it.

Nauman looked genuinely surprised. Riffat stared at him as if he had suddenly grown two horns.The same Zaviyar who refused to eat anything except parathas for breakfast was now asking for yogurt.

A silent wave of amusement passed around the table. Even the staff exchanged knowing glances. Everyone could see it clearly. Zaviyar was missing his wife.

He had only eaten a few spoonfuls.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification. Without a second thought, he reached for it, his food completely forgotten. The moment the screen lit up, his jaw clenched and a groan built up in his chest. Safiya. Dressed like that. Looking like that.

My lawyer sahiba —

Zaviyar, already restless with anticipation, tapped on the one view video instantly. And then—

The screen filled with Safiya, leaning close… and suddenly, a loud, unapologetic kiss echoed through the phone.

“ MUAHJHHHHHHH, good morning babe ”, Even though no one could see the screen, the sound alone was enough. Zaviyar froze and then panic slammed into him. He immediately dropped the phone onto the table as if it had burned him, coughing loudly to cover up the sound.

His eyes flickered up, only to find every single person staring at him, shicked faces morphing into teasing smules, which they tried very hard to hide.

“ Kh-khuda hafiz ” he muttered, pushing his chair back so abruptly it scraped against the floor.

(G-goodbye),

Before anyone could say a word, he was already striding away, his steps quick, almost aggressive.

Inside the car, the moment the door shut, his composure shattered. He picked up his phone again and played the video.

Again.

And again.

And again.

All the way till he reached his workplace.

........................

Meanwhile, at the Shah mansion, the morning carried a soft warmth. Rabiya and Wajahat sat at the dining table, waiting patiently for their daughter.

Safiya finally stepped out of her room. A beige skirt hugged her frame gracefully, paired with a crisp white top. She looked absolutely beautiful.

“ Here, I made your favourite pancakes… ”, Rabiya said, placing them in front of her, along with a jar of Nutella. Safiya’s eyes lit up instantly. But just as she picked up her fork, something caught her attention. Rabiya was serving Wajahat parathas with last night’s kadai paneer.

“ Mama, ek paratha mujhe bhi dein please… ” , Rabiya froze mid-motion, staring at her in disbelief.

(Mom, please give me one paratha too).

“ Beta, yeh bohot oily hain. Tumhe touh ekdam pasand nahi hain na. ”

(Dear, these are very oily. You don’t like them at all, right?)

“ Ab hain. ”

(Now I do.)

Before Rabiya could process that answer, Rida had already opened the hot case and served a paratha onto Safiya’s plate, while Mansi quickly added some kadai paneer beside it.

“ Areh tum dono chill karo, itna kaam karne ki zarurat nahi hain idhar. ”

(Hey, you two relax, there’s no need to work so much here), Safiya said casually.

But what happened next… stunned them even more. Safiya tore a piece of the paratha with her hands. She dipped it straight into the rich, oily gravy and ate it with her hands. Rabiya slowly turned to Wajahat, her expression full of shock.

Wajahat… was beyond reacting.

For anyone else, this would have been nothing. But this was Safiya. The same Safiya who couldn’t tolerate food mixing. Who avoided even the slightest mess. Who hated the turmeric staining her fingers yellow. Who ate her bread separately and then the gravy with a spoon.

And now—

She was eating like this.

“ Shaadi ke baad tumhari aadatein badal gayi? ” , Rabiya finally asked, unable to hold it in. Safiya looked up briefly, her expression calm.

(Have your habits changed after marriage?)

“ Woh Avi ese khata hain na. So mujhe uske khaane se bites lene ki habit hogayi… ” , Her tone was so normal. As if nothing about this was unusual.Wajahat leaned back slightly, still observing her.

(Avi eats like this, so I got used to taking bites from his food like this…)

“ I’m surprised tum table par phone nahi dekh rahi. ”, he remarked.

(I’m surprised you’re not checking your phone at the table)

“ Woh khadoos aadmi mujhe phone nahi dekhne deta na khaane khaate samay. ”, she replied, not even looking up from her plate.

(That strict man doesn’t let me use my phone while eating),

Once she finished, she stood up and ran to the kitchen with her plate to wash her hands. She came back in a few minutesa, wiping her hand switch a towel.

“ Mama, baba. Mein chalti hu… Khuda hafiz ”, she said, hugging them both before walking out. Rabiya watched her go, still trying to process everything.

( Mom, Dad, I’m leaving… goodbye),

“ Kitna badal gayi hain shaadi ke baad. ”, she whispered.

(She has changed so much after marriage)

“ Hmmm… ”, Wajahat responded quietly, his eyes fixed on Safiya’s retreating silhouette, not moving even an inch.